A cyber security innovation centre is set to open in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The £13.5 million hub will be hosted in Plexal City, Here East, and host 72 cyber security companies over a three and a half year period.

The scheme will be led by Plexal and delivered in partnership with Deloitte’s cyber team and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Queen’s University Belfast.

Each of the organisations working at the centre will receive a customised programme of technical and commercial mentoring from some of the world’s leading authorities on cyber security.

Claire Cockerton, CEO and founder of Plexal, said: “Our future international standing as a world-leading digitally-enabled economy depends on the delivery of a robust and forward-thinking cyber security sector.

“The London Cyber Innovation Centre will provide the bedrock for this to happen – delivering bespoke business development programmes, engineering resource, professional services, access to corporate buyers and ambitious investors.

“At Plexal, it is our mission to bring the whole industry together to accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship and business growth.”

Plexal was appointed by the government to deliver the centre, which will create up to 2,000 jobs in cyber security, and will offer companies access to a range of innovation services, business mentors and financial advice.

Members will also have access to a number of community events to help encourage collaboration between large corporations and startups, and cross-pollination of ideas amongst peers.

Sir Peter Hendy, chair of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “This is exactly the type of high skilled enterprise that we hoped would form part of the Park’s legacy.

“Plexal, Here East and others are attracting a growing cluster of the top digital companies to the Park.

“The impact is huge, creating thousands of jobs as well as more opportunities for young people in east London to aspire to high-skilled careers in this rapidly growing sector.”

Margot James, minister for digital and the creative industries, added: “This new centre in the Olympic Park will build on the site’s legacy of excellence and spark a wave of creativity to develop tomorrow’s technology and protect the nation from the increasing cyber threat.”

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